Tom Washington: Candidates at top of ticket frequently discuss how much unites us all

To The Daily Sun,

Seeing some take issue with the idea that division and hatred are the currency in America today and that Donald Trump voters should be socially punished, allow me to provide context.

During the campaign, Trump referred to tens of millions of Americans who do not support him as “vermin” who he will “root out” of this country. Trump has sexually assaulted at least one woman (that’s according to a jury). When he lost in 2020, he committed a series of egregious crimes and attempted to steal our right to vote. He has insulted veterans, been outwardly racist (he told three congresswomen of color, who were born here, that they should “go back where they came from”), and said things on the Access Hollywood tape that are not fit for print.

In the face of that and so much more, Trump has been unrepentant. He attacks anyone who reasonably takes issue with the above, as do his supporters. To say he is hateful and divisive is a vast understatement.

For nine years, people who opposed Trump listened to Trump supporters and attempted outreach, something Trump and his supporters have never done. We put candidates at the top of our ticket who frequently discussed how much more there is that unites us than divides us. Time and again an olive branch has been extended to Trump supporters and every time they rip it out of our hands and beat us over the head with it.

No more. Nine years of grace to Trump supporters was more than enough for people who never returned an ounce of it. I am not suggesting we attack the Capitol like they did when they lost. But we can work within the law to deliver social consequences to Trump voters. They sowed division and now they reap it.

Tom Washington

Laconia